Chasing that caffeine high (upper-intermediate listening)

Chasing that Caffeine High More than 500 new energy drinks have been released this past year, and it has doctors worried. Nutritionists warn that the large amounts of caf eine and sugar in each drink can hook kids on an unhealthy up-and-down cycle. The drinks contain megadoses of vitamins, too. These can cause their own side ef ects if taken every day for a period of months. But maybe the most alarming news comes from reports that kids are drinking several in a row for the high it gives. More and more calls are coming in to poison-control centers from young people sick on too much caf eine. Danger adds to the appeal. Most brands target in on the danger, particularly towards male teens and twentysomethings. There is "Cocaine Energy Drink," "Pimpjuice," and "Bawls." Hannah Kirby, the creator of Cocaine Energy Drink, said she first wanted to call it "Reboot"--"a pretty ho-hum name." But the name was already taken, so she chose to be daring. The drink is getting the attention she desires, too. Kids quickly noticed it among a thousand other energy drinks. Their slogan: "The Legal Alternative." Some beer manufacturers now produce "energy beers," or beer that contains caf eine. But mixing energy drinks with alcohol isn't so new. Bartenders have been mixing the first energy drink in the West, called "Red Bull," for more than a decade with vodka. Although the energy drink-alcohol combination doesn't make you feel as drunk, you stil are. Coordination and reaction times worsen. The potential for accidents and alcohol poisoning increases. Just how much caffeine does an energy drink contain? A study at the University of Florida discovered that many of the drinks contain two to four times the amount of caffeine as Coke. The serving size, though, is usually one-third smaller than a standard can. Energy drinks aren't regulated in the U.S., but the study strongly suggests warning labels. Teacher's Notes:
* Underlined words in red typeface are the answers.
Heads Up English - 1 Chasing that Caffeine High Upper-Intermediate - Listening the Article (for students) Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare your answers with a partner, and then listen once more.

Chasing that Caffeine High More than 500 new energy drinks have been released this past year, and it has doctors worried. Nutritionists warn that a) _______________________________________________________. The drinks contain megadoses of vitamins, too. These can cause their own side ef ects if taken every day for a period of months. But maybe the most alarming news comes from reports that kids are drinking several in a row for the high it gives. More and more calls are coming in to poison-control centers from b) _____________________________ _________________________. Danger adds to the appeal. Most brands c) ______________________________________________________. There is "Cocaine Energy Drink," "Pimpjuice," and "Bawls." Hannah Kirby, the creator of Cocaine Energy Drink, said she first wanted to call it "Reboot"--"a pretty ho-hum name." But the name was already taken, so she chose to be daring. The drink is get ing the attention she desires, too. Kids quickly noticed it among a thousand other energy drinks. Their slogan: "The Legal Alternative." Some beer manufacturers now produce "energy beers," or beer that contains caf eine. But mixing energy drinks with alcohol isn't so new. Bartenders have been mixing the first energy drink in the West, called "Red Bull," for more than a decade with vodka. Although the energy drink-alcohol combination doesn't make you feel as drunk, you stil are. Coordination and reaction times worsen. The potential for d) ______________________________ __________________________. Just how much caffeine does an energy drink contain? A study at the University of Florida discovered that e) _______________________________________________________. The serving size, though, is usually one-third smaller than a standard can. Energy drinks aren't regulated in the U.S., but the study strongly suggests warning labels. Heads Up English - 2 Chasing that Caffeine High Upper-Intermediate - Listening Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) all the fads you can remember in your lifetime. What were they? What happened to them? In hindsight, were any dangerous? sil y? important? STEP TWO Questions: Read as much of the article as you can in two minutes. Guess the answers to the questions below, then listen to your teacher read the article. Try to confirm your answers.
a. Doctors are worried about the number of energy drinks that debuted this year.
b. Too much caf eine is unhealthy, but the vitamins in each drink provide a balance.
c. Kids like the danger of the energy drinks.
d. Some energy drinks are made with beer.
e. Drinking energy drinks mixed with alcohol makes you less drunk.
STEP THREE Fil in the Blanks: Listen to your teacher read the article again. Fil in the blanks with the missing words. STEP FOUR Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article.
c. side-effects
e. appeal
g. daring
i. potential
d. reports
f. ho-hum
h. decade
j. regulated

STEP FIVE Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
a. Have you ever (or do you often) drink energy drinks? Why/not? b. Do you think energy drinks are dangerous? How about if you drink them every day? c. What does our need for more energy say about our society? Are we doing too much? Why/not? d. Caffeine is an addictive drug. Why do you think it remains legal when other harmful drugs are il egal?
Heads Up English - 3